Singapore

Christine:


We're on our second day in Singapore, and we're bored! lol


We arrived two days ago on Singapore Airlines and took a shuttle from the airport to the hotel. It was a shuttle used by a number of hotels and we had to pay for it. We were quite annoyed to find that we were the last people they dropped off (which meant we had to ride it for an hour and a half) and then they couldn't (or wouldn't) pull up in front of the hotel so they dumped us and our stuff off across the road and we had to carry everything across 4 lanes of traffic! I don't think we'll be taking it back! We'd rather plump for a taxi and save ourselves an hour!


Anyway, we're staying in a hotel near Chinatown, which is brilliant (being near Chinatown, I mean - the hotel is mediocre, but cheap)! We've eaten there twice and wandered the streets - it comes alive at night. We took a hop-on/hop-off bus (discounted with Singapore Airlines) and went up to the Singapore Botanical Gardens yesterday. What a goregous place! It was really beautiful and peaceful. Then we jumped back on the bus and rode it to Little India. There was a great outdoor flea market that we looked through, and we ate at a little open cafe where there were no tourists - the food was great! From there we jumped back on the bus for a couple of stops and got off when Barry saw the F1 Grand Prix remanants. We then had to walk as much of the course as we could, which was ok because it took us by the harbour and we saw the Merlion, the symbol of Singapore, and some other historical stuff. After that we slowly walked back through Chinatown, stopping for a massage and supper, and then to the hotel.

This morning we got up late and went down to Fort Canning Park, which is a hill in the middle of Singapore where the operational headquarters were during WWII, that is until the British et al surrendered. We went on a tour of the underground bunker and then ate at The Legends, a lovely expat club with a fantastic Sunday brunch buffet. We walked around the park and saw a few different historical things - the house where Sir Stamford Raffles (the founder of British Singapore) lived, a holy shrine called a Keramat and some gorgeous trees, among other things. There is also an enormous reservoir at the top of the hill, built before WWII, which still services Singapore.


Then we wandered down to Clarke's Quay, full of modern bars and restaurants and made for tourists! We have opted out of some things that were recommended to us because we just don't see the point. We are trying to discover the real Singapore, but I think this is it - a somewhat manmade city with no pre-19th century culture that has survived. For the first time, we're not feeling like we've missed out on seeing something - we're ready to leave!


Barry:

Well evidently I am a little behind on the posting of my Blogger, so here we go. Brunei was excellent, it was exactly what we needed. A good rest coupled with just the right amount of stuff to do and good company.

The golf was particularly good, let down only by my inability to play decent golf, well that and the attack of 'THEM'. Whilst Adam was taking his second shot on the fairway, I stood to one side in a little rough. I felt a little transient smarting from my feet. I was wearing golf SANDALS and upon looking down all I could see was a river of massive black ants, swarming over my feet. I had to act quickly, and in the most manly way possible I ran towards Adam screaming and waving my arms in the air like a girl. You must understand, dear reader, this was only to warn any other golfers in the area.

Well what can I say of Brunei? Visit and Visit soon before it is spoilt by someone or something, it still retains its colonial charm, wonderful place with every thing you need to hand, great place.

Singapore on the other hand is everything Brunei isn't. If you read 'lifestyle magazines' and think the Beckhams are philosophers, visit Singapore were you can shop your heart of stone right out. You can visit former historical sites, now demolished and re-built as shopping centres (the guide's words, not mine).

On the other hand there are gems, Fort Canning Park, the Botanical Gardens and the F1 circuit.